A PLAN to restore the historic woodland grounds of a church is set to record and help the birds that live there.
Birds such as robins and blue tits are expected to be found in the woods of St Dyfnog’s Church, Llanrhaeadr, famous for its rare Tree of Jesse window which is reputed to have been buried during the English Civil War to protect it from destruction.
But volunteers for the Llanrhaeadr YC Preservation Society (LPS), which is leading the three-year project to restore St Dyfnog’s Well, a sixth century plunge pool, as well as a second well and two bridges dated to the sixteenth century, hope that woodpeckers and goldcrests will also be spotted in the woods.
St Dyfnog's Well, situated within the church's woodland yards.
The wildlife research is part of the restoration project funded by a £300,000 grant from the Heritage Fund, which will also build a woodland classroom for primary school visits.
Samantha Jones, LPS project manager, said: “It is a beautiful walk around the grounds, through the woodland alongside the stream until you discover the well at the top of the hill, full of gorgeous clear water.
“The whole community is excited about the restoration project; the residents, the local school and businesses. Hopefully it will boost visitor numbers to the church and to businesses in the village.”
The wildlife research will be carried out with the help of professional ecologist and local expert Adrian Hibbert, which it is hoped will enable the volunteers to carry out suitable conservation work.
One of the sixteenth century bridges which will undergo restoration.
“There haven’t been any surveys carried out on site before so this will be the first time,” Ms Jones said. “We expect to find garden and woodland birds such as robins and blue tits, but there may also be birds such as woodpeckers and goldcrests there too.
“The survey will be the first in a series over the next few years to get a clear picture of the types of birds using our site. We will then use this data to help carry out work to help them, such as putting up nest boxes, making habitat piles out of brash which will become home to insects, providing food, while managing the woodland to create a diverse habitat.”
A bird walk and recording session will be held by the LPS and Mr Hibbert at St Dyfnog’s Church from 10am-12pm on June 17, during which the public can ask questions and learn about the woodland’s wildlife.
Spaces are limited. To book, contact Ms Jones by calling 07889797062 or email samantha.jones.dyfnog2018@gmail.com
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